MORRIS. 349 



moutli, as if only just then grasped at and seized. In the 

 water its motions are slow and undulating through its whole 

 length; and it is noticed that where they begin the action at 

 first is near the head, and it proceeds backward through its 

 length. 



As there is only one known species of this genus in the 

 seas of Europe, a description of this fish will practically serve 

 for that of the genus itself; but in the several examples that 

 have passed under our notice there have appeared diflferences 

 which tend to shew that the fish itself is subject to some 

 variety, or perhaps that in different examples there ai'e portions 

 of its character which are in these instances brous^ht more 

 prominently into view. It is retentive of life. 



The appearance of this fish when alive represents a thin 

 ribbon of transparent jelly, and the only opaque portion is 

 the eye, which appears like a circular plate of brilliant silver. 

 A mutilation of the head in the original specimen was the 

 occasion of the generic name, but this part is not disproportionally 

 small; the jaws equal; no teeth in the upper jaw perceptible, 

 in the lower jaw a single row regularly placed; six orifices 

 of mucous glands along each side of the lower jaw. Length 

 of the fish six or seven inches; in a single instance the back 

 was raised close' behind the head; the depth of the body 

 increasing behind the vent, which is about the posterior third 

 of the length, and after this tapering to the tail. An usually 

 well-marked lateral line, with indentations, (apparently for ribs,) 

 straight; and from the thorax back a line, usually marked 

 with a row of minute dots, to the tail. A well-marked 

 pectoral fin. The dorsal begins at about one third of the 

 length, and joins the anal to form the tail. In a living 

 example I have counted the spinous processes of the vertebrae 

 one hundred and fifty-two in number; the brain appearing 

 opaque, like pale milk, the medulla oblongata (proceeding from 

 it) rising and passing oflf backward near the summit; but no 

 further appearance of a nervous system was discerned. Although 

 the general appearance of this fish is singularly without colour, 

 some exceptions have been noticed: in some instances there 

 was a dark band across the forehead from eye to eye; and 

 again a general faint tinge of bronze over the body; silver-like 

 marks at the ribs, which became bluish towards the tail. 



